![]() ![]() If the contractor and owner would have selected perforated panels made from painted aluminum, they would have avoided the problem. Since rust spreads and grows, this handrail quickly became victim to Mother Nature and the railing looked quite awful. It holds up fairly well, but in this case, because of the perforated holes, there were many pin-hole places where the paint did not adequately cover the metal. Powder-coated steel railing, is a popular choice, particularly in residential use. Not many years ago, I stumbled onto a job where someone had used steel railing and steel perforated infill panels. When aluminum is combined with some kind of finish, like painting or anodizing, it really becomes an outstanding product because it is so durable. Aluminum is used extensively for architectural projects since most of that material is exposed to the outside elements. Why Choose Aluminum for Your Project?ĭepending on the environment, aluminum can be a fantastic choice for fabrication jobs that require long durability. Aluminum 5052, for example, is sometimes called The Hulk of aluminum alloys due to its durability and excellent corrosion resistance.Īluminum 3003, the most widely-used of aluminum alloys, is also particularly good at resisting corrosion, but less favorable to anodizing, a factory process that mimics the natural process of oxidation to create a more durable metal with a corrosion-resistant aluminum finish. As mentioned earlier, unlike rust, which has a flaky, orange appearance, aluminum oxidation cannot be easily chipped off the metal surface.Īluminum oxidation occurs at different rates depending on the type of aluminum, the finish and the environment surrounding the aluminum. The aluminum corrosion process is actually halted by oxidation-the metal won’t continue to deteriorate unless the aluminum oxide is removed. As oxidation occurs, it hardens and creates a protective layer over the newly exposed areas of corroded aluminum. The resulting aluminum oxide is a thin, hard layer that actually protects the metal from further corrosion.Īluminum oxide appears as a powdery white or dull gray coating. The process of aluminum corrosion is known as oxidation. Most can identify rusted steel from its familiar orange color. But aluminum, when exposed to water and oxygen will very quickly corrode. ![]() However, since aluminum doesn’t contain iron or steel, it doesn’t rust away in most conditions. The process starts over and goes round and round until the steel is basically eroded back to a more natural state. Steel rust, as most know, causes the metal to flake away, exposing new steel. Rust is a type of corrosion referring specifically to the oxidation of iron or steel caused by interaction with water or moisture. Corrosion, generally, is a broad reference to the wearing away of metal caused by a chemical reaction. What is the difference between rust and corrosion? This is a reasonable question because rust and corrosion are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same. The short answer: no, aluminum does not rust. ![]()
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